How to Obtain Diagnostic Information for VMware ESXi 5.0 hosts using the vSphere Client

When you lodged a support request to VMware Technical Support, they routinely requests the diagnostic information from you. This diagnostic information contains product specific logs and configuration files from the host on which the product is run or from the host that may have issues and need further troubleshooting. This information is gathered using a specific script or tool within the product. Collecting diagnostic information is the same as collecting or gathering log files. This post will provides procedures for obtaining diagnostic information for ESXi 5.0.

ESXi 5.0 host diagnostic information can be gathered using the vSphere Client connected to the ESXi host or to vCenter Server.

To gather diagnostic data using the VMware vSphere Client:

1. Open the vSphere Client and connect to vCenter Server or directly to an ESXi 5.0 host.
2. Log in using an account with administrative privileges or with the Global.Diagnostics permission.
3. Select an ESXi host, cluster, or datacenter in the inventory.
4. Click the File > Export > Export System Logs.
5. If a group of ESXi hosts are available in the selected context, select the host or group of hosts from the Source list.
6. Click Next.
7. In the System Logs pane, select the components for which the diagnostic information must be obtained. To collect diagnostic information for all the components, click Select All.
8. If required, select the Gather performance data option and specify a duration and interval.

9. Click Next.
10. In the Download Location pane, click Browse and select a location on the client’s disk where you want to to save the support bundle.
11. Click Next.
12. In the Ready to Complete pane, review the summary and click Finish. The Downloading System Logs Bundles dialog appears and provides progress status for the creation and downloading of the support bundle from each source. A Generate system logs bundles task is created.
13. When complete, upload the logs to the FTP site. For more information, see Uploading diagnostic information to VMware (1008525).